Ok you guys...its on, the LIVE Nicki and Todd..Summer edition!

[MickeyNicki]

I'm pleased to see that the "healthy" (hey who are we kidding here?) version of the croissant sandwich was as tasty as it looked. And about the disappointing muffin....can I get on my soapbox about those flying rats (aka the seagulls) who will rip food out of your hands? (Churro; Frontierland...a few years back. I'm still traumatized.) It was enough to make me scream at my TV at Jillian (the Bachelorette) when she was feeding flying rats in Vancouver with her Date du Jour. "Don't feed the !@#$@#@% birds!"

Ahem.

Tutto. I haven't eaten there because it seems way expensive compared to most any other restaurant there, but I think I probably should swing lunch there. The sandwich looked great, but that dessert! I was feeling some serious chocolate luuuuuuurve.

And Mrs. Spratt: If you're going to do counter service, Epcot has to be the best park to do it in. Nicki took great photos of places you would normally overlook as "counter service": Kringla bakery in Norway and the Patisserie in France. Both tend to serve up lots of dessert items, but you can see that they also have light savory items, too. Plus there are great places like Tangierine Cafe in Morocco and Sunshine Seasons in the Land. Thanks for the shout out. (Hi, I'm Lori. )

Ro Ro you are so right about the darn blasting birds....they had cute little ones and huge black/blue ones and I never feed them and I guess they were ticked off so they invited themselves to breakfast! You should try and get to Tutto for lunch, still costly but very light and good and you wont leave with PASTA GUT like you do at dinner

Your solo day sounds like . Can't wait to hear what you thought of the spa. I've heard only good things about it!

Going to post it right now, it was heavenly!

That must have been a very relaxing spa day and/or a drink heavy evening Good morning!

Oh honey, I was dead weight last night, the spa and the food and the booze, I was useless....reviews coming up!

 

[MickeyNicki]

First let me tell you all about today...DH told me last night that they have another meeting today and we have to check out today, I need to get back to work (even tho I dont wanna) so I have to check out at 11am (the Swan has a huge convention coming in and they will not give me a late stay).

Had to cancel our Boma breakfast and I am so sad about it.

I slept in, I have a croissant from the BWI Bakery from last night, I will stay in the room until 11am and then go to HS or Epcot again, eat lunch somewhere, I was thinking Beaches and Cream, and wait for DH to call me and say he is on the way to pick me up. If it is around 5 we will probably go to DTD for dinner at WPE but it it is earlier we will just head home.

Anything I or we eat today I will post when I get home.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Now lets talk spa...or rather I died and went to heaven! I arrived 15 minutes early but that was ok because my masseuer took me early and spent the extra 15 minutes on me.

The Mandara Spa is unlike any other....when you enter the spa itself there is a huge relaxation, waiting room with hot tea, citrus water, large cushioned benches. The ladies lounge has 3 showers, 2 small and 1 huge, all kinds of toiletries for you to use, private toilets, lots of lockers, huge robes, flip flops, more citrus water, and a steam room..I used it all and I was the only one there, never saw another person.

Ok lets get a bit TO MUCH INFO but I did skin to the wind, nothing but a robe babe, I was ready for this stone massage!

I went to wait for John, holy crap you guys have got to ask for John he works Sun, Mon and Tues only. He is also a physical therapist. He asked where my problems were, he said he could tell it was my shoulders and neck because I was all bunched up, also my lower back kills me from sitting in a desk all the time. He decided to do a stone physical therapy massage and the boy got into knots and tense areas that I never knew existed...I was in a good pain mode, the kind where you know that is the spot and it hurts but you want them to work out the kink. THe hot stones were incredible, he lays them on the back and then kneads them into the muscle....oh my it was terrific. 90 minutes of this and I still wanted more, he massaged from my toes to my head, the ears, the hands ...EVERYTHING!

When he was done I was reeling with relaxation, my body felt like Jello and he made me drink 2 glasses of water to help get the toxins out of my body.

Then I went to see Kristen for my Tri Enzyme Resurfacing Facial for 60 minutes..it lightened my face, removed the dark circles and smoothed out my entire face, I was glowing all night long and DH could not get over it! She also massaged my neck, back, head, shoulders, arms and hands.

After my bliss was over I went to the temple, another room where they do pedicures and manis, gorgeous huge room with ice tea, hot tea etc and a view of the water. Relaxed there for a bit and then took a shower...DH had called and said he was back at the resort so I went to go pick him up for dinner.

When I was paying they offered me the products that were used on me, a 5 piece facial set and massage oil with healing items in it....total cost was $700 for these 6 times...I said Uh No, DH didnt give me that much moolah.....

MY GOODNESS that was ridiculous and that was with 20% off....the mark up is insane...and to add insult to injury the facial items read....

ANTI AGING FORMULA

I was mortified!

 

[KatMark]

ANTI AGING FORMULA

I was mortified!

God, it happens quicker than we realize!

I get an aromatherapy massage about every two or three months. Edward, my masseuer, will on most occasions also use the hot stones on me. He knows my weak points--shoulders/neck from stress and my lower back, also from sitting at a desk 8 hours a day (and then of course another 4 or 5 at night being on the DIS! ). I look forward to these treatments every time. I may have to give the Mandara a try the next time we are at Disney.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Went to the room to get DH, he could not believe how glowy I was! We grabbed the boat to the BWI and went to Flying Fish, we were an hour early but they took us right away.

One bad thing happened here, we were seated next to this party of 6 adults and 4 boys under 9 years old...they were running all over the place, bumping into waiters, bumping into DH's chair, standing right next to us and staring, yelling, screaming and they were totally out of control...I was pissed because I could not hear what DH was saying to me. I kept shooting looks at them and the parents but nothing worked. I told our waiter that we wanted to be moved but there wasnt another 2 top open. I asked if they could speak to the parents but the waiter for them already had....he told me they were having a round of coffee and they should be gone soon....We were both pretty ticked because the kids were LAYING ON THE FLOOR next to us and acting up pretty bad...I commented loudly and before you know it they finally scooped the kids up and left...Not one of the adults ever spoke to the kids about their behavior.


DH started with a sparkling white wine, he loved it and had another one or 2 (cannot remember) later.

I had a Boardwalk Bay Breeze, drank it fast and ordered another one...very good and tasty!

Killer bread, it was served hot and crusty on the outside and soft and doughy on the inside, DH and I have a good thing worked out, he gives me the crust and I give him the dough!

Super creamy butter, not a frozen slab that some places give you

DH started off with a mozzarella and 3 type of tomato salad....this was so light and fragrant and sweet and fresh tasting, we loved it!

Todd also wanted to try the corn soup with the rock shrimp so I told him I would order it for him since I didnt want anything else...wow was I glad I did because it was delish! There was diced potatoes, carrots, cubed bacon, corn and 4 crispy fried tender rock shrimp. THe soup was very light and sweet and awesome! I am sure there was cream in it but it wasnt heavy or thick at all.

I could not decide on the scallops or the snapped and the waiter said the scallops were the best but if I didnt like them he would give me the snapper instead. Well the scallops were fantastic! Cooked perfectly, super tender and sweet and the fresh pea risotto was a great accompaniment to the scallops....it was very light and refreshing and DH loved it too....he ate half of it! The risotto changes seasonally, in Oct it was a pumpkin risotto.

DH had the NY Strip again and I convinced him to order it medium and he did and it was cooked a perfect medium and he ate every single bite. Great char on the outside, bernaise sauce on the top and yummy roasted veggies...I did eat a few bites myself and I am not a NY Strip kid but I really enjoyed it.

DH made us members of the clean plate club, the food was just that good that you could not leave bite behind. Our server, Jay, was a great server, very attentive and helpful with the menu.

I wasnt that hungry so I told DH choose the one that you want and I will take a bite or two. He decided on the chocolate trio since we had banana at BlueZoo the night before.

This is a chocolate mint cake with almond ice cream, the ice cream was insane, loaded with almond flavor but no almonds and the mint cake was super moist and tasted like a Girl Scout Thin Mint. This was Todd's favorite

This is a dulce de leche with thin chocolate cookies in between and chocolate croutons on the top....I could eat and entire bowl of chocolate croutons! This was my favorite.

This is a light chocolate thing with rasperry stuff inside and it was ok but the balsamic glaze they put on it was not sweetened enough so the tastes were way off and kinda icky.

So there you have it, our Flying Fish review, second time we have been here and just as wonderful as the first time.....I hope we can get back here in Oct, it would be so nice to just roll to the room. DH was freaked when I told him that I wanted to walk to the Swan, hey I needed to digest this meal! Once back in the room I sat on the bed and never got up until after 8am this morning, I was just way to relaxed and full to move!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Oh my gosh ... I cannot wait to eat at Flying Fish in December! I am not a huge seafood eater but really want to try either the snapper or the scallops. DS and I actually agreed to pick one of those and then maybe the pasta dish so we could share and not 'go hungry' if we don't love the fish. DH is already drooling for that steak!

I was debating going back to Tutto. DS and I really enjoyed our meal there last year & I wanted to share it with DH. Thought about dinner but then the menu you posted didn't excite me. Lunch on the other hand looked devine! So Tutto it is for lunch! Now to decide where to have dinner ... One thing for sure is that it won't be Nine Dragons! I thought I really wanted to try it but I am just not taking the chance. We can get good chinese food at home!

So sorry to hear that your trip is coming to an end! I really enjoy your reviews and can't wait for the next ones! Only 198 days til our trip (and next Mom & Son Eat the World dining review) but who's counting!

 

[mmmears]

Great update!

We have ADRs at Flying Fish next month . It's been 3 years since we've eaten there and I had heard some negative things, but it was a favorite of ours and I'm so glad to see you liked it!

As for the kids, sorry you had to put up with that. Parents like those shouldn't take their kids into nice restaurants and ruin the experience for everyone else.

 

[butiflfeet]

I am so glad the food at Flying Fish made up for the kids' antics! We just booked a "family" trip to Disney World yesterday and we're going in August for free dining. My parents are paying for all us kids plus spouses plus my brothers' kids to go so it'll be quite the ordeal but I'm hoping for a kid-free dinner at Flying Fish!
I think a massage is on my list for this next trip too. That sounded so heavenly

Have a safe trip back home!

 

[bucci818]

Another great review! FF looks fantastic and it's another on my to do list. My youngest DS LOVES peas, and wants me to try and make the risotto. Sorry those kids where so bad! From a young age, I have taught my DS's how to behave in a restaurant. Maybe someone needs to teach those parents! Hope today is going well, and can't wait for you to get home to tell us how it went!

 

[ChelleinNC]

Honey that sounds like an incredible afternoon & evening!!!!
--except for the obnoxius kids/parents next to you at dinner. I just don't understand people A. my kids wouldn't dare act like that out to eat and B. I'd strangle them if they did!
I understand it's Disney World and it's family friendly, but rude/obnoxious misbehaviour is not acceptable

Hope you have another wonderful day wandering by yourself

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Sounds fantastic!

I'm sorry about the kids also. Had the same thing happen at the park yesterday. Two boys sat down right in the middle of our picnic and proceeded to interview us and beg for food. Their mother just sat and read her book...never said a word. They sat with us the entire meal.

 

[KatMark]

Sounds fantastic!

I'm sorry about the kids also. Had the same thing happen at the park yesterday. Two boys sat down right in the middle of our picnic and proceeded to interview us and beg for food. Their mother just sat and read her book...never said a word. They sat with us the entire meal.

 

[hmgray95]

That spa sounds great....isn't it wonderful to be pampered at those places? DH gives me a certificate for a spa day every now and then, and it's just such a nice change of pace.

Flying Fish sounds great....I think it's going on our list for next June since we are thinking of staying near the Boardwalk.

I can't stand parents like the ones you ran into! Why is it that people think that children don't have to exhibit good manners when they are in public? I'm not anti-kid by any means....I have a 5 year old girl and a 16 month old boy and 6 nieces and nephews who all live in the same town as me, so I'm around the little buggers all the time.....but kids should not impact other people's experiences. Like Chelle said....my kids have never acted like that in a restaurant, and if they tried it, I'd kill them!

 

[Itinkso]

Thanks for such wonderful live reviews! Out-of-control kids are horrendous - so sorry that you had to deal with that!
I went to BevMo yesterday and stocked up on XFusion liquer and thought of you ! And, next to the XFusion was Nuvo! Wow, here I am visiting in San Diego and only had thoughts of WDW while in a liquor store !

 

[BriarRosie]

When I was paying they offered me the products that were used on me, a 5 piece facial set and massage oil with healing items in it....total cost was $700 for these 6 times...I said Uh No, DH didnt give me that much moolah.....

MY GOODNESS that was ridiculous and that was with 20% off....the mark up is insane...

All spas will do that. I remember the first time I did spa treatments, I was on a cruise, and they heavily pushed their products on me, but I resisted. They get some serious moolah on those products.

and to add insult to injury the facial items read....

ANTI AGING FORMULA

I was mortified!

Welcome to the club, my dear. You're looking at one of many who turned (or will turn) 40 this year! Do you get called "Ma'am" a lot?

Went to the room to get DH, he could not believe how glowy I was! We grabbed the boat to the BWI and went to Flying Fish, we were an hour early but they took us right away.

One bad thing happened here, we were seated next to this party of 6 adults and 4 boys under 9 years old...they were running all over the place, bumping into waiters, bumping into DH's chair, standing right next to us and staring, yelling, screaming and they were totally out of control...I was pissed because I could not hear what DH was saying to me. I kept shooting looks at them and the parents but nothing worked. I told our waiter that we wanted to be moved but there wasnt another 2 top open. I asked if they could speak to the parents but the waiter for them already had....he told me they were having a round of coffee and they should be gone soon....We were both pretty ticked because the kids were LAYING ON THE FLOOR next to us and acting up pretty bad...I commented loudly and before you know it they finally scooped the kids up and left...Not one of the adults ever spoke to the kids about their behavior.

That is my single biggest pet peeve, at WDW or anywhere, for that matter. A couple of coworkers and I went to our regular sushi place for lunch last week, and a little girl was just running around the tables. She was pretty disruptive. I hate it here and I hate it at WDW. If I'm alone, I have no problem asking the parents to call their kids back to the table. I am more reticent among "company".

Anyway, back to the meal. Loved the scallops photo! Yum! I love the red snapper, but it's been years since I've had it. I remember how good it was. And the chocolate dessert looked great. 2 out of 3 ain't bad.

 

[Minnie&Nana]

WOW, what a day you had!!! I'm probably the only one here who thinks the massage sounds awful, but that's because I could not stand someone I don't know to touch me like that - the whole massage thing gives me the creeps.

Maybe the facial, but then that included a massage as well..yuck...I almost went for a pedicure and manicure last time I was there, but they only had availability with a guy and could not do it (hey, I'm a former nun, what do you expect?? ). Also, the receptionist was awfully snotty - which is so rare at an upscale place.

Anyway, what's the deal with those brats ( a term I never use). Of course, not their fault as the parents should have taught them from the time they were babies appropriate behavior. Doesn't take much - just have to explain to munchkins what we do here, etc. Those kiddos must be worse than nightmares at home!! Where Jo the Nanny, when ya need her??

Have not tried the Flying Fish yet, but sure must next trip!! Looks scrumptious - photos are fabulous, of course!!

Thank you!! Hope you're havin' fun today! Safe trip home!

 

[KatMark]

Welcome to the club, my dear. You're looking at one of many who turned (or will turn) 40 this year! Do you get called "Ma'am" a lot?

I'm not even sure I remember what 40 was like anymore. Especially since I got my AARP card.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I have been lurking along since Page 1. Thoroughly enjoying your report!

There is NO WAY, I mean NO WAY I could have tolerated kids rolling on the floor and bumping into DH's chair. If our server or a manager wasn't able to help I am afraid I would have been hideously ugly to those parents, and it would have been loud. I daresay it would have been the sort of scene to warrant the involvement of Disney Security. I have NO patience for that behavior, and if the behavior is having a direct negative impact on my dining experience then it is time to inconvenience the parents of the naughty children. I am sorry you had to start off your meal that way. I love Flying Fish. And Cali Grill. And Narcoosee's. And Citrico's.

 

[Timon]

he massaged from my toes to my head, the ears, the hands ...EVERYTHING!

Oooooooh




I've only ever had one massage before and it was by a girl and it wasn't very good. One day I will have to try another one

Sorry to hear about the out of control kids. It's also a pet peeve of mine and whenever I encounter them I always say very loudly "Don't you have parents????" so that the parents can hear it and that usually solves the problem here at home but when on vacation, it seldom works. I either get ignored or get dirty looks. For some reason, a lot of parents seem to not want to parent their kids while on vacation. We encouter a lot of those kind of parents in WDW but most especially on Disney cruises

I guess sometimes it just comes down to laziness or parents thinking that they should also be on vacation from being a parent.

My daughter will only be just shy of 3 when we go in October but I think that WDW will offer a lot of opportunities for us to teach her some new things....such as waiting in line for things and having proper behaviour in busy public places. I know she won't be on her best behaviour at sit-down restaurants but I am going to do my best to keep her from disturbing anyone around us! Geez I hope that works out for us

I would love to see a photo of the glowing Nicki

 

[ChelleinNC]

Hijacking for just a minute Got my pictures up on Photobucket (all 204 ) and here are a few from the new pirate rooms at CBR

When you consider we had 26 agents touring the room, only one "extra" hand in the pictures is pretty darn good if you ask me

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming